THE VICTORIA GAZETTE, 1858.
Through the kindness of a "fifty-eighter" I am enabled to give my
readers, especially the old-timers, some extracts from this, the
pioneer newspaper of Victoria, if not of British Columbia. To me,
although only a "fifty-niner," and at the time a juvenile, these
extracts are very interesting, for I remember nearly all the
personages mentioned, and it is the incidents that these names are
connected with that I mention. The editors announce in this, the
first number, that they at first intended to name their paper The
_Anglo-American_, but on second thought changed it to the
_Victoria Gazette_, as more appropriate. The editors and
proprietors were Williston & Bartlett, and the paper was a
semi-weekly. To show the primitive and makeshift nature of things in
early Victoria I will quote the first local item: "It is cheering to
note the increase in frame and canvas buildings that are springing
up."
Mr. Thomas Harris, of the Queen's market, is the first to open a
butcher shop in the Island.
The arrival of the first batch of Chinese by the steamer
_Oregon_. The sign of the first to go into business appears as
"Chang Tsoo," washing and ironing.
The beautiful view of the Olympic range covered with snow, as seen
from Government Street, is commented on as a sight worth seeing.
Another item informs its readers that twenty vessels were advertised
in San Francisco as on the berth for Victoria.
A most important announcement is that up to the present time there
were no taxes levied in Victoria, except as liquor licenses. To sell
retail the privilege cost $600 per annum, and for a wholesale license
100 pounds or $485.
In nearly every number there is a cry of "No water; who will dig the
first artesian well? In case there should be a fire how was it to be
put out?" Then a suggestion of a public meeting to consider the
important question, and a petition to Governor Douglas to have large
tanks erected at the foot of Johnson Street, near the bridge, and to
have salt water pumped up. Then a fire engine is asked for. In fact
Governor Douglas seems to have been appealed to for everything they
wanted, and in this instance he seems to have been the right man to
appeal to, as will be seen later.
In a later edition is the announcement of the arrival of the steamer
_Oregon_ from San Francisco with mail, express and 1,900
passengers.
Alex. C. Anderson is appointed collector of customs by Governor
Douglas.
The Governor has ordered two fire engines from San Francisco, and
still the cry is "Water! water!" "Dig wells, citizens, we must have a
supply." The editor seems to have water on the brain. It is suggested
that there be an ordinance compelling people to have so many buckets
of water alongside each tent.
The council have ordered the removal of all bodies from the cemetery
on Johnson and Douglas Streets to the new cemetery on Quadra Street.
July 7th.--Complaints are made that a fence obstructs View
Street, so that pedestrians have to go along Broad to Yates or Fort,
and down these streets to reach Government. This obstruction does
not seem to have been removed permanently, for Hibben & Co.'s store
occupies this lot, and before the brick one was erected there was
a large wooden building then owned by J. J. Southgate. That it was
not intended that View Street should end at Broad is evident, as
Bastion Street was then known as View Street, being so-called in
Mallandaine's first directory in 1860.
Another petition to Governor Douglas. This one by the local clergy to
have a branch of the Y. M. C. A. instituted in Victoria.
The steamers _Orizaba_ and _Cortez_ have arrived with the
large number of 2,800 passengers.
Proceedings of the House of Assembly.--Present: J. D. Pemberton,
James Yates, J. Kennedy, J. W. McKay, T. J. Skinner and Speaker
Helmcken. The latter gentleman asked to be relieved of the
Speakership for reasons he has already stated. After a discussion on
the subject it was decided that the Speaker be not allowed to retire,
and the honorable gentleman continued to act.
The paper complains that the P. M. S. Co.'s steamers have lately
dumped Victoria passengers at Esquimalt and carried the freight to
Bellingham Bay, and after unloading Bellingham Bay freight have come
back to Esquimalt with the Victoria freight. In consequence of this
arrangements were to be made so that the steamers land the Victoria
freight in our harbor.
The Freemasons are invited to meet at Southgate's new store on Monday
evening, July 12th, at 7 o'clock, to consider important matters
connected with the organization of the order.
Three thousand five hundred mining licenses have so far been granted.
In a cutting from a European paper there is an item to the effect
that it was generally understood that the Queen's family name was
Guelph, but that such was not the case, as that was the name of a
religious faction of which the Elector of Hanover was the head, but
that the real name of the family was "D'este."
Wells, Fargo & Co. will soon open a bank.
Collector Anderson notifies the public that all necessary provisions
for miners for personal use may be taken up the Fraser River free.
It is announced that Rev. E. Cridge holds service every Sunday
afternoon on Wharf Street, opposite the Fort gate.
In consequence of the reduction in the price of lumber to $50 per
1,000 feet, houses are springing up everywhere.
Governor Douglas has appointed Mr. Augustus Pemberton commissioner of
police.
Theatricals are held in a mammoth tent, as there is so far no
theatre.
One of the fire engines, named "Telegraph," bought by the Governor,
has arrived from San Francisco, the cost of which is $1,600.
There has not been a death from natural causes in the city during the
last thirty days.
The _Gazette_ having received an Adams power press, the paper
will be issued daily in future, and the proprietors look for a
recognition of their enterprise. The rates are $20 per annum or
12-1/2c. per copy.
The First Brick Building.--This matter may now be considered settled
by this item, which reads: "Our first brick building is about
completed, and is to be opened as a hotel" (referring to the
Victoria.)
The first steamer to reach Fort Yalo is the _Umatilla_, 21st
July, 1858.
The streets of Victoria have not yet been sprinkled, and there are
many complaints from shopkeepers as to the damage their goods receive
from dust. Why not use salt water, if fresh cannot be had?
Roussett is building a wharf at the foot of View Street, and Chas. B.
Young one at the foot of Johnson. The former of these items would be
hard to understand by people of the present day, "at the foot of View
Street." This is, I think, the explanation. As originally laid out
View Street extended from above Cook Street to Wharf Street, and
would to-day were it not that Hibben & Co.'s building or stores stand
in the way. On July 7th, as already mentioned in this article, the
_Gazette_ stated that there was great dissatisfaction at the
fencing of the vacant lot on Broadway (Broad Street), opposite View,
which they stated was used as a "cabbage patch," and there was talk
of pulling the fence down. All the agitation seems to have amounted
to nothing, for not only was the fence not pulled down, but J. J.
Southgate, one of the earliest merchant emigrants, erected a large
wooden building on the street. By referring to the engraving this
building may be seen; later on J. J. Southgate erected the present
brick building. The paper stated later that the Governor had sold the
lot to Southgate, and that settled the matter.
Sheriff Muir announces by advertisement that anyone found with
firearms on their person would be arrested and punished.
A salute was fired from the fort bastions on the arrival of
Governor F. McMullen, of Washington Territory, accompanied by
Governor Douglas, who had met the American Governor at Esquimalt,
this being a friendly visit to our Governor.
In future Sheriff Muir will arrest all gamblers.
An Indian, convicted of stealing, was tied up in the fort grounds and
received twelve lashes by Sheriff Muir.
Captain William Brotchie has been appointed harbor master for
Victoria by Governor Douglas.
An exclusive grant was made by the Legislature to a company to supply
Victoria with water for ten years.
The fare by steamer from San Francisco to Victoria is $30.
A fire occurred in the ravine on Johnson Street, which destroyed a
canvas house tent and contents.
Two fire engines have arrived, and a petition is being signed to the
Governor, praying him to organize a volunteer fire department under
an officer appointed by himself.
A regular stage now plies between Victoria and the naval station,
leaving Bayley's Hotel, corner Yates and Government Streets
(Pritchard House corner), hourly, the fare being one dollar each way.
The following gentlemen call a public meeting by advertisement to
organize a volunteer fire department: M. F. Truett, J. J. Southgate,
A. Kaindler, A. H. Guild, Charles Potter, Samuel Knight and J. N.
Thain. This was the initial movement to form the volunteer fire
department which did such good service for thirty years afterwards.
"July 28th, 1858.--The steamer _Wilson G. Hunt_ left San
Francisco to ply in these waters." Where is she now? and how old is
she?
At the public meeting called to organize a volunteer fire
department M. F. Truett was called to the chair, E. E. Eyres was
elected secretary, and the following working committee was appointed:
Jas. Yates, Chas. A. Bayley, J. H. Doan, Leopold Lowenberg, Rousett,
Truett and Myers. The Hunneman engine to be known as No. 1 and the
Telegraph as No. 2. The committee were to select one hundred men to
each engine to form the companies. The first meeting of No. 2 company
called, and the notice is signed by H. J. Labatt, W. F. Bartlett, J.
W. Turnbull and David Green.
Albert H. Guild calls a meeting of all Oddfellows in good standing to
meet on July 5th, at which it was decided that a register of all
Oddfellows should be kept; a weekly meeting was to be held each
Wednesday evening at eight o'clock over Guild & Webb's store, corner
Wharf and Fort Streets; C. Bartlett, secretary. From this meeting of
a few members of this most beneficent order has sprung into existence
forty-two lodges scattered all over the province, with a total
membership of 3,527, and I am afraid that to-day not one of those
faithful few brothers of the mystic three links survives.
August 4th, 1858.--The first arrival of the steamer _Pacific_ in
Victoria harbor is announced.
The Public Examination of Craigflower Colonial School
(Midsummer).--In the absence of the Governor, Rev. Edward Cridge
examined the pupils, and prizes were presented to Jessie McKenzie,
Wm. Lidgate, Christine Veitch and Dorothea McKenzie. The prizes were
donated by the Governor. Old-timers will remember these names well.
Married by Rev. E. Cridge, Wm. Reid to Margaret Work.
First trip of the steamer _Leviathan_ to Puget Sound, Captain
Titcombe. This leviathan of the deep was so small that she was
hoisted on the deck of a steamer from San Francisco, and so arrived
from that place.
The paper announces that over one hundred vessels from all parts were
then on the berth for Victoria, and what was to be done to find
wharfage room for so many in Victoria harbor?
Fire Engine Company No. 1 held its first meeting at the American
Saloon, August 6th, 1858. J. H. Kent was elected president and
Charles R. Nichols secretary. The American Saloon was on Yates
Street, and I think was kept by Thos. Burnes, who for years was a
most enthusiastic fireman.
An editorial calls for the establishment of a public hospital, a jail
and a deadhouse (the latter seems a strange want, at least an urgent
one). The present jail is too small, and coroner's inquests have to
be held in the open air in front of the jail; the jury stand around
the corpse, some leaning against it, spread on some boards, and the
coroner sits on the top of an empty barrel (very primitive).
The public examination of Victoria Colonial school (on the site of
Central School). Rev. E. Cridge and the master, Jno. Kennedy,
examined the pupils. Prizes were given to David Work, Wm. Leigh and
James Pottinger. Six months later the writer was a pupil of this
school.
Birth.--August 12th, 1858, the wife of Wm. A. Mouatt, of a daughter.
Married.--Same date, Edward Parsons, H. M. S. _Satellite_, to
Emma, eldest daughter of James Thorn.
Improvements.--Since 12th June there have been two hundred and fifty
brick and wooden houses erected in the city.
A writer thinks it time that Victoria's streets were named and an
official map made.
A. Pemberton, commissioner of police, notifies the public that no
more canvas or wood and canvas houses will be allowed, as they are a
public nuisance.
August 24th, 1858.--The stern wheeler _Enterprise_ has arrived
from Astoria, Capt. Thomas Wright, master. She is to run on the
Fraser River to Langley.
An open letter to Rev. E. Cridge appears in the _Gazette_ from
an indignant American, who, with his family, had attended Rev. Mr.
Cridge's preachings, and who now feels insulted at the treatment he
received lately by the sexton showing a negro into the same pew
occupied by himself and family, also treating other respectable
Americans in the same way. He further stated that, the day being
warm, the peculiar odor was very objectionable, so that several
Americans left before the service was over.
A day or two later this is answered by a letter signed M. G. W., who
was a colored grocer of Yates Street (Lester & Gibbs). He was a
clever writer, and handled the gentleman, Mr. Sharpstone, without
gloves, saying some very pertinent as well as impertinent things,
taking especial exception to the reference of Mr. Sharpstone to the
peculiar odor and perspiration.
Mr. Cridge appears with a letter, throwing oil on the troubled
waters, and the editor thinks enough has been said.
The arrival of the steamer _Otter_ with news of a massacre of
forty-five miners at Fort Hope by Indians; the news is considered of
doubtful truth.
There is a project to build a bridge across French Ravine, where
Store Street passes over it. Was this ever done, or was it filled in
instead? Who can answer?
House of Assembly, Aug. 26th, 1858.--Petition from Nelson & Sons for
exclusive privilege to supply city with water from a spring two miles
to northeast of city, at the rate of 1-1/2 cents per gallon, and a
free supply to the Hudson's Bay Company; also a petition from Hy.
Toomy & Co., to light the town with gas. Mr. Pemberton gave notice of
a resolution to provide for the erection of a bridge at Point Ellice;
also a petition from Edward Stamp to grant him the privilege of
bringing water into Victoria by means of pipes along the streets.
A Chinaman (one of the first batch to arrive) was found shot dead
with five bullets in his body. He was on his way to a spring to fetch
a bucket of water, and had to pass a camp of miners. Further comment
unnecessary.
A change of ownership of the _Gazette_ is announced, and Abel
Whitton becomes proprietor.
A notice appears that all persons requiring seats in Victoria
District Church should apply to J. Farquhar, in the Fort.
Bayley's Hotel, corner Yates and Government Streets, J. C. Keenan,
proprietor. Board $15 a week.
A cricket match between H. M. S. _Satellite's_ and Victoria
elevens at Beacon Hill.
"Tipperary Bill" shoots a man at this cricket match and kills him. He
is still at large.
September 14th, 1858.--News just arrived of the laying of the
Atlantic cable, and a salute of twenty-one guns to be fired from the
Fort.
There have been 344 houses erected in Victoria in three months.
New Map of City Issued.--The first three streets named after the
three Governors--Quadra, Blanchard and Douglas. Secondly, after
distinguished navigators on the coast--Vancouver and Cook. Thirdly,
after the first ships to visit these waters--Discovery, Herald and
Cormorant. Fourthly, after Arctic adventurers--Franklin, Kane,
Bellot and Rae; and fifthly, after Canadian cities, lakes and
rivers--Montreal, Quebec, Toronto, St. Lawrence, Ottawa, Superior
and Ontario.
[Illustration: Inside Fort from Wharf St.]